LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

I know this is a personal question, but thought I'd throw it out there for those who don’t mind answering. I’m a borderline case. If my insurance company approves my application, everything will be covered except for $500. If they don’t approve my application I may consider going to Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Kuri in Mexico. Even though the Mexico option is much less expensive than self-pay here in the states, it’s still a lot of money to me. (Particularly since I got ripped off by a “personal training/total fitness company” and lost most of my savings. Still recovering financially. Grrrr…) I don’t know where I would get $10,000 from for the surgery. For those who’ve had to ge…

I was banded on August 9th. I did okay for about 3 weeks and then started eating anything I could get my hands on. I gained back like 5 pounds. I had my first fill about 3 weeks ago, I am scheduled to have another on Wednesday. I feel no restriction which I know is normal after the first fill. I have lost about 25 pounds since being banded. I started my externship at a doctor's office. The drug reps feed us everyday, when you bring a tv dinner for lunch and have a mountain of food on the table it's hard to walk away. I am so scared that I will be the one this doesn't work for. I've even started drinking sodas again, (I only drink diet as the real stuff is way too sweet…

I'm going CRAZY! What can I put on my incisions to help stop the itcthing?

Help, this is just crazy. I am eating everything I can get my hands on. I got my date and it is a little over a month away and I must have nerves and I am eating like crazy. Has anyone esle had this problem? I just have this mind set that I need to eat at all of my favorite restrants because I won't be able to after the band. Any words of advice??

I have entered the soft food stage of my diet, and the first thing I had was scrambled eggs for dinner last night. I never thought eggs could taste so good, and I've been eating them all my life! I guess it was just the fact that I was not eating for over two weeks straight. One egg left me full, where before being banded I would eat 3 scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage and wash it all down with a huge glass of orange juice. Just thought I'd share.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK !! Hope you had a wonderful day :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

Okay first we have to come with ideas for a game.. any ideas?????

I'm reading through these boards (and doing some research on my own) and when I come across things like catheter, endscopy, and barium swallow I get a little freaked out. It would really help if somone would walk me through the tests and things you have to go through to get evaluated and prepped for surgery, so I know what to expect. So for those who are banded, what medical tests did you have to do (x-rays, blood tests, etc) beforehand? And then on the actual day of surgery, what do you have to do? Does the surgeon draw lines on your belly? Do they stick a bunch of needles in you? They pump you full of gas? Is there an enema involved? *shudder* Give it to me straig…

My doctor indications said "first week clear liquids: juice, tea, and broth". But I really want (crave) a little skim milk. Do anyone drink it in the clear liquids stage?

I apologize in advance if this has been addressed before, but has anyone here lost all or most of their desired weight? I get so nervous hearing all those statistics-ya know, banders only losing 50 % of their desired weight, etc. I think everyone is doing SO well, and any amount of weight loss is GREAT, no matter what the numbers. I love my band, I love my new body and Im loving my new life.....

Tomarrow is the big day, it seems like I have been waiting forever! Good things come to those who wait..ha! I live with my Dad and he has been really sick with the flu.....NOT GOOD! He is still pretty sick,but he is my caretaker and I'm sure he will be fine. I just do not want to catch it....coughing with incesions...can you say OUCH!!!! But I trust God will take good care of us both. I want to thank all of you, this site has been such a wealth of information! I would have never felt this confident without all the hours spent here. Wish me luck..soon I will be a REAL BANDSTER! HA!:Bunny

I was banded 8/5/05 and haven't been able to fly to TJ for my first fill yet. I still don't even have a flight out! It's just been one thing after another here that prevents me from leaving my family... I lost 10lbs the first 3 weeks. Now I'm slowly gaining it back because I have no restriction. I am on my own, like I never had the procedure done. They are just going to be so disappointed in me when I do go in for my first fill! Right now, I'm only 6lbs down from where I started. Is it possible to stretch out your poutch befor a fill? I hope that hasn't happened. I would think not because It feels like the food just goes on down. I can tell it's there if I eat bread …

You may think I'm a little crazy for wondering about this but..... Since I'm very new to the band (one week post -op) I have been wondering about some things...... What happens when you get sick?, for example a virus. If you eat and the food passes through the stoma, can it get back up if your body needs to vomit?....for example if u get food poisoning???? Also, as far as erosion and perforating the abdomen, are there any movements I should avoid....like stomach crunches or any positions? And one more thing.....did anyone else feel a little freaked out in the beginning that you actually did go through with this and this band is really on your stomach????? Every once …

Hi all, I read a lot about Dr. Frering in Lyon, France. They say he is good, but he only do Mid-Band. Just wondering, is the info about him only internet spam and so forth. or he really is one of the best as they say. If you know any info about him, or about the mid-band please share and let me know. Thanks a lot,

okay, how crazy am I? I've been tracking my calories and trying to stay really close to 1200 calories. Trying hard, hard. hard to loose weight. Working out, drinking Water, and watching my calories. Well, last week I said "to hell with it. It's not working my way, and I have a fill scheduled." I had a couple of days where I was above 1600 or well, darn close to it anyway. Ice cream, chocolate, chips, snarff. I figured that I would punish myself by going to the gym and using the scale. (The dance studio doesn't have a scale that I've found...) Well, imagine my surprise when I discovered that I'm down a pound.

I got my 2nd fill last Thursday for a total of 3.6cc I'm having problems eating/drinking anything - mushies not too bad, but everything else, even drinking seems to hurt. Does this mean I should get an unfill? or, wait a few more days to see if my stomach is still just adjusting to the change?

Was banded 7 weeks ago today. If there is anything I miss it is DIET COKES. I have took a sip or two now and then with no ill effects I am not a coffee drinker in the am, have either gone with out or tried to get some hot tea down, or even ice tea so are diet drinks or carbonated beverages a TOTAL NO NO??

Well now, this silicon fist (as Jack calls it) is quite an interesting device. I'm now three months into this band. Lost over 40 lbs, feeling a lot better. That part is all good. But now my band isn't so new anymore. I'm starting to settle into my old routine and I'm finding something interesting about this process. Since I'm not so "aware" of things now since the band is a part of my everyday life, I find that like a kid, I'm pushing the boundaries and the band keeps biting back. I must be dumb because it seems to take repeated PB's and I still haven't learned my lesson. (my doc calls the band "surgical behavior modification") I find myself wanting to eat too…

I am so happy right now that I have to share. I bought this really cute shirt online about 6-8 months ago and I decided to try it on yesterday and it fit! That is the problem with buying clothes online....no dressing room! So i figured it would fit..NOT! So, it got tucked away in the closet until yesterday! I didn't think that this much weight loss would be such a major thing until that. When I met Dr. Spivak I weighed 223lbs and then I had the surgery at 219lbs and I get on the scale now and I see that I have lost 11 with the band's help I throw the other 4 back on...isn't that silly? But it makes me feel ecstatic. I am so happy that I got that shirt on and it actually …

I'm confused. How come creamy soups blenderized are liquids and not mush when other stuff blended is mush? I'm doing fine with liquids but can I have egg drop soup blenderized? Is that a liquid or do I need to wait until day 7? It says milkshakes are ok but that seems like "food" to me! I'm confused. For now I guess I'll stick with protein shake and water and just have some of the egg drop soup broth.

I've experienced this a couple times now, and I know I have read that others experience a *massive* restriction around 'that time of the month'. Like clockwork - I sure do. But I don't know why - does anyone actually know why this happens? I'm not really upset - it's kind of helpful

8 days post op and up until today I was happy with being banded...but I cooked dinner tonight, fantastic spagetti (recipe is posted in food)with fresh italian bread...big mistake...made me resent my band tonight. I wanted it so badddddddddd...I was consumed with it. (those demons that Jack in always referring to. Stomped around here madder than heck. I hid it from everybody, so I came here to vent. The thing is...I have to learn to deal with this, it is not like I can just stop cooking for my family. I know...just being childish and it is not like this stage is going to last forever. I did conquer it, had my Protein drink like I am suppossed to and now sipping my Water…

Compared to the pre-band days, I mean. All my (failed) attempts at behavior modification are what got me where I am now. I worry that the band would be a waste of time and expense for me because if I haven’t been able to change my behavior until now, what makes me think it will change if I get banded? The band won’t drag me to the gym. The band won’t stop me if I decide to binge on a ton of high-calorie soft stuff that goes down easy. What has this been like for all of you who are already banded? Is it still a major challenge for you? I’m so gun-shy right now. I want to believe in this, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle yet another failure. This surgery is m…

I always dreaded winter sad to say because I had to be back to wearing pants for years I had maybe one of two sundresses well like dresses I wore non stop then the cold weather started and the stress set in well to make a long story short I just tried on a pair of jeans and they fit i am so hopeing that I can keep the weight off forever I desperately want to reach my goal and get on with my life thanks for listening see yah

I am having a really hard time getting motivated to exercise. I have a treadmill that I use once a week (big deal huh), but I get extremely bored after 10 minutes. I was thinking or joining Curves. Has anyone had any sucess with their program? I was also wondering what kinds of exercise you do, how you get motivated to do it, and how many times a week you do it for. When I was banded in August I was told by the Dr. that I only needed to exercise 3-5 times a week for 5 minutes a day. This seems a little absurd to me...how on earth can 5 minutes do anything? Any suggestions you have would be great! Thanks!

While looking for Poblano Chilie's at the store, (I never bought them before and wasn't sure what I was looking for) I ask a guy which ones they were. He pointed to one and said he thought that was it, he said they weren't hot, and that his wife uses them for stuffing. Then a lady came around the corner and he ask her if that was the one (she was on the phone) and she ask her husband what the name of the peppers she used to stuff was called. Well, it was the one they guy showed me. By the way while cutting one of these I stuck a big bite in my mouth and let me tell you that they are hot! Anyway, now I am curious as to what they use to stuff these peppers with. The…

I wasn't sure if anyone else caught Weekend Today on NBC this morning. They just aired info on the lap band. They showed 4 sisters who have lost over 370 pounds having the lap band. One sister alone lost 125. It was a great story the only mention of the by-pass was to say that this was list risky then it and the recovery time is alot faster. It was a VERY good story and it was about 5 - 8 mins long. Just thought I would share that the band got some very good press from everyday people like us. Oh the Dr. did one of the surgeries on one of the sisters for FREE...she couldn't afford so he donated his time and everything. How amazing is that. I love my BAND!!!!!

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question or if it has already been covered...but any help would be great! I know that I am close to the 100lb mark, but which chart/ guideline do most doctors use? I find one chart that makes me at the 100 mark and another chart that puts me 10-15 lbs away. How is it determined by the doctors/insurance company as to what is the “ideal” body weight?

I haven't been banded yet, I'm still futzing around with insurance. What I want to know is how fast you lose inches from the belly/tummy/gut area. I look like a big egg with legs (and arms and a head). Do you tend to lose it more or less evenly all over or do you notice it more in the larger parts?

I got banded on Monday I'm so sorry that I did. It was the hospital/surgery experience from hell. Nobody told us in our support groups pre surgery about the realness of this procedure. My surgery started incompetent nurses not being able to find my veins to place the iv before surgery and blowing out my veins, they had to call in an IV specialist to get it done. Then it's hurry up and wait for the surgery in the holding area for 3 hours. after the surgery I was placed in a room with an 80 year old woman with dementia, I had so much pain, she screamed all night long and I got no sleep. In the middle of the night, my IV drip ran dry that was scarey! The next morning …

Anyone wanna join in please do. It would be nice Hope you are all enjoying your Labor Day Some one at this site, whom shall remain nameless told me to go out and have a big ol greasy cheeseburger today (since I'm seeing the surgeon tomorrow LOL), anotherwords, get it while I can lol. I didn't, I had a big ol fattening salad today and a baked tater (of course it has butter & sour cream on it, you nuts?). I'm so full I think I'm done eating for the day lol. I took DD to the Turtleback Zoo today. MAN, I never realize that, that zoo was all hills, I mean HILLS !!! My 4 year old was like "WHOLEY FISH PASTE MOM" lol. I told DH that next year this time, he's gonna h…

everyone is telling me to sip sip sip but my doctors say one ounce every 15 minutes but I am only up for like 30 minutes at once b/c I'm still so tired. I am scared I'm drinking too little or too much! What do I do?

Last night I went to a Weekenders party. (If you're unsure of what that is, it's a company that sells clothing through home parties.) The last time I went to one of these parties was about two and a half years ago (before my surgery), and I had to buy the largest size they carried. Last night, I had so much fun trying stuff on! Just enjoying that process is a MAJOR NSV for me. What's even more exciting is that I was able to wear several pieces in a medium. I honestly can't remember the last time I wore anything that size! It was so exciting!

I really need some advice about a situation I am in. If anyone read my post in the "are you a closet bandster" thread you will know that I have only told my husband and parents about my surgery. I initially did not intend to tell my parents, but my husband encouraged me to because I am very close to them. As for my colleagues, friends, and the rest of my family, they all think I had surgery for an instestinal blockage (which I actually did have, but it is GONE after 2 weeks of liquid-YAY!! I'm still on meds for it, though). My parents have been traveling and are currently in Italy. My mother called my sister-in-law last week, and apparently they had a conversation i…

Hello all, I have not been on hear for some time now, as I have been busy, but it feels good to be back and read what's been going on. So I had a fill last week and was told Clear liquids until Monday. (NO WAY) I was so hungry that night, I had to eat. And I have been eating regular foods ever since. (WHY?) I also got my period the next day, does this have anything to do with it? I feel really bad that I didn't do the clear liquids, but I just could not do it, I had no energy what so ever. I even tried to do it the next day and I had to eat something, I feel really guilty!!!!!! Anyone else experience being hungry after a fill? Also I felt the doctor had a little trou…

Hello all, I am going to be banded in about 9 days and am trying to tie up any loose ends. I was wondering if any of you pre-prepared meals for your families prior to surgery? My hubby will try but really not that great of a cook. What did you make? Ideas would be so helpful.

I was banded 8-8-05. I have lost 31lbs. I'm very happy with the weight loss. 20lbs was the first two weeks, while on the liquid diet. I had my first fill 9-21-05. I have a 9.75inamed band. If I understand right this band will hold 4.0cc. I had 2.0cc on my first fill. My thinking was that if he put 2.0cc in it, that makes it half full and I should have great restriction. But I can eat everything that other people on here has trouble with. I can eat bread, pasta, rice. The only thing I haven't tryed is steak. I eat about 1/3 of what I used to eat before the band. Here is my question, My Dr. will add or take out fluid within 14 days of my fill free, after that you ha…

I got the check up from the neck up today at the hospital! I do not know what I was thinking when I got dressed this morning because I put on a denim dress. Okay fine except for the EKG part...the nurse says to me are you wearing a bra..I say no....she says well just lift your dress up and I can put the wires on you like that! Problem......I do not have under wear on.....or a bra......I am butt neehkid under my dress!!!! It gets better...she has no gowns for me to put on. Apparently I am the only person that has ever done this VILE thing before. She calls somewhere for a gown. We wait.....in silence. Finaly the gown arrives! It is 5 times too small...I have to keep an op…

A friend of mine just had her surgery yesterday, and she's doing great! They even sent her home yesterday afternoon. She has come so far (emotionally speaking) to have this done, and I'm so proud of her. She has been a friend of mine since before I was banded, and when I had it done, she kept saying, "I could never do what you've done" because she had an extreme fear of doctors. Obviously, she had to overcome that fear to end up lying on the operating table yesterday. I don't have those kinds of fears, so for me, having the surgery was not really a big deal from that perspective. But I've watched her go through this, and she has come so far. I AM SO PROUD OF HER!!

Hey Guys, I went for my first post opp and I was down 12 pounds in one week! This was a great incentive and start to this journey. After seeing that scale read out I wasn't so jaded about some of the un-pleasantness that goes along with your first week being banded. Thanks to everyone who helped me through that rough first week. I am now 10 days post opp and every day gets eaiser. I still feel restriction but not as much as last week. One question, do people feel like they can eat normally before a fill? Is that an indication to get one done? Rock On Loosing Ladies! Jen

Here is the thing, I just got banded 2 weeks ago on this Monday, at first I felt alot of restriction but now I can drink a whole bottle of water or even eat oatmeal and not feel restricted. Does this mean that I need a fill alread. I called my doctor and asked if my band was filled when it was put in and he said that he did fill it, so why do I not feel restriction. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE MY BAND, I have lost about 12lbs. since surgery, I would do it all over if I had to!! How can you tell when you need a fill and how soon after surgery can you get one. My first follow up is on Tuesday with my surgeon, Dr. Chaudry.:think

Well a few weeks ago I posted about my daughter getting homecoming duchess. I am working on a home page it is up.You know trying to keep busy and quit smoking.Maybe this project will help me stay out of the fridge after surgery to. Some pics are embarrasing but I need to see my weight loss progress. so I also posted my before pics. Welcome

Today is My wifes birthday so instead of a expensive dinner We went for a fill. October the 4th will be our 1 year band day. This has changed our life. We have been so blessed to have had this surgery. It has been 7 months since out last fill. I have gain able 5 lbs this last month. Deb has not gained but has not lost anything for a month. Deb has reached her goal of 199lbs but has decided to try to loss 20lbs more. I would like to loss 20-35 more lbs.

I just realized that yesterday was one month with my band! I made it through the liquid stage from hell, then the mushie stage and now this semi-solid stage(still don't understand what semi-solid is). I have lost 23lbs and I go for my first fill on Oct. 6. he said if I am losing really good he would only do a fill if I requested one. I am gonna request it anyway. The band is meant to work with fills . I want to keep up the steady loss that I have been seeing weekly. I am trying really hard, even though I swear my nutritionist has me on an ATkins diet. Well I am so glad I made this decision. I have been getting alot of looks from the fellas lately too! I mean I can tell t…

A drowsy bandster, but a bandster indeed. Just got home from surgery. Wasn't too bad at all. I can't feel the band at all and liquids are going down just like they always did!

I got my band three weeks ago today. My band won't be filled for another three weeks. My Dr. had me on the clear liquid diet for 10 days BEFORE surgery, and for 1 month post-op. Although I surprised myself with my ability to stay on the diet so long, (broth sucks!), I had a moment of weakness last week and had a half of a small hamburger. It hurt like hell - and ultimately came back up within a couple minutes (in one quick vomit). I don't have any pain or nausea - but I have scared myself into thinking I may have screwed up the band - can anyone here tell me what the symptoms of slippage are? I feel fine and I can drink liquids with no problem....could I have stret…

I can't wait to lose weight & FINALLY look in the mirror & see the "real" me that's hiding behind all this STUFF on my body. I feel like I should just be able to unzip this fat body & step out of it all. Why can't I see the real me that is FAT?!?! When I think of myself, I still imagine the "normal" size person that I used to be. My dreams are the same way. I've been overweight for over 10 years & every time I take a picture I say to my husband - "Is that really me?!?" My husband says it means I have a good self-esteem. I think it means I am not living in reality. There's so much that the body inside wants to do, but can't because this fat s…

After my recent fill (#3) I can honestly say that I notice a change but I can still eat almost anything. Bread is not my friend unless I take it sloooow. pizza cust very little at a time. I have lost 10 lbs since my surgery so I'm a little concerned that I may be coming to the end of the road with the band. I have the larger band with a maximum of 11 cc. My next appt is in one month. I know my Doc is expecting to see me lose 4-6 minimum. I assume he may do another 1 cc from here on. On a good note I have stepped up my exercise program with good cardio work out but time will tell if I'm fooling myself. Another friend of mine who has the same Dr. said he has 11 cc n…

well I had my first fill yesterday and the doctor couldn't find my port. said it was very deep. Thank god for lidocaine because he tried for about ten min. went thru 3 needles they kept coming out bent. He finally decided to do it under x-ray. I had to roll on my left side for him to access the port. Boy was I sore once the lidocaine wore off. Now we know for the next fill to roll on my side. I got 1cc now the fun begins.

This morning I will be going to my friends funeral. Last week unknowingly to all of her friends she went to Mexico for lap band surgery. She planned for a weeks vacation. She left on Monday and Tuesday evening I received a phone call from her husband that she had died. Supposedly she had a heart attack mid surgery from anesthesia (sp?) Needless to say I am sad, perplexed, and filled with questions. She was only 40 years old, filled with life, and really not all that fluffy. Yesterday, she was to have returned to work. Instead Tuesday morning is her funeral.